Reformation 500- God on OUR side

 This is at St. Peter Lutheran Church 

in Schaumburg, Illinois.

The artist/ teacher Joanna Eden 

directed the work 

of her students to create this.

She drew the outline 

and the students painted it in.

On this Reformation Day-

may we still live as if-

 it's STILL ALL ABOUT JESUS.

This is Most Certainly True.

I heard this song today- 

"If God Had Not Been on Our Side"

by Martin Luther

 and the words

 have stuck with me all day.

Wonderful words to ponder 

on this 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.

Make sure you click the link

 to hear the song on You Tube.

"If God Had Not Been on Our Side"
by Martin Luther, 1483-1546

1. If God had not been on our side
And had not come to aid us,
The foes with all their power and pride
Would surely have dismayed us;
For we, His flock, would have to fear
The threat of men both far and near
Who rise in might against us.

2. Their furious wrath, did God permit,
Would surely have consumed us
And as a deep and yawning pit
With life and limb entombed us.
Like men o'er whom dark waters roll
Their wrath would have engulfed our soul
And, like a flood, o'erwhelmed us.

3. Blest be the Lord, who foiled their threat
That they could not devour us;
Our souls, like birds, escaped their net,
They could not overpower us.
The snare is boken-we are free!
Our help is ever, Lord, in Thee,
Who madest earth and heaven.

Hymn 267
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Ps. 124
Author: Martin Luther, 1524
Translated by: composite
Titled: "War' Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit"
Tune: "War' Gott nicht mit uns"
1st Published in: Gesangbuch
Town: Wittenberg, 1537

Listen HERE:

If GOD HAD NOT BEEN ON OUR SIDE

Reformation 500- Martin Luther's Seal

My husband received this gift this past summer.

 It has been propped up on the window sill.

I like how it is so delicately done

 and I love the symbolism 

of this tiny piece of stitchery.

The Luther seal or Luther rose 

is a widely recognized symbol for Lutheranism.

 It was the seal that was designed for Martin Luther 

 at the behest of John Frederick of Saxony in 1530, 

while Luther was staying at the Coburg Fortress
 during the Diet of Augsburg. 
Lazarus Spengler, to whom Luther
 wrote his interpretation, 

sent Luther a drawing of this seal. 

Luther saw it as a compendium or expression 

of his theology and faith, 

which he used to authorize his correspondence.

 Luther informed Philipp Melanchthon 

on September 15, 1530, 
that the Prince had personally 
visited him in the Coburg Fortress 
and presented him with a signet ring, 
presumably displaying the seal.

                                                       (Wikipedia)

I have tried to find the designer/creator

 on Facebook and on the internet

 and haven't been able 

to find any contact information.

 Maybe that will sow up with this blog post!!!

Reformation 500- Solas Bookmark

Reformation 500 Bookmark

 Print 3 to a page

(Best on cardstock)

Designed by Kathryn Stanis-

Visual Faith Coach

These images certainly help us 

to remember and reflect on the things

 that are the basic tenets 

for the Protestant Reformation.

Available for FREE download 
on the resource page at:
Visual Faith Ministry.

Reformation 500- Solas Margins

 SOLA-

Sola Fide-Faith

Sola Gratia- Grace

Sola Scriptura- Scripture

Solus Christus- Christ 

We stand on these SOLA principles:
grace, faith, and Scripture 
because there is only one Jesus Christ
 in whom we can be saved.
It has been done FOR us.
As we celebrate this 500th
Anniversary of the Reformation,
we give thanks to God for His work
 through Martin Luther and the reformers.
The truth stands in the light.

And a favorite quote:
"We need to hear the Gospel

 every day because 

we forget it every day."

Martin Luther

These Bible margins and quotes
 are availabe here on the 
Visual Faith Ministry
  website as a FREE download.
Visual Faith Ministry Resources
Download and print and color for personal,
 church, school and ministry purposes.
Not for resale.

Supplies:
 Prismacolor pencils
NIV Noteworthy New Testament- Zondervan

Soli- Deo Gloria
To God Alone the Glory
Blessed Reformation!

Reformation 500- Katie Von Bora

 There are a lot of resources and new books

 available to commemorate

 the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.  

Not many are written for children.  

Not many new resources about Katie Luther.

 I have read both of these- 

published by Concordia Publishing House.

Both are wonderful starting points 

for knowing a bit of Katie's story.

And maybe even for adults-

this Hero of Faith story 

is both a quick introduction

 or an interesting review.

Reformation 500-The Business of Prayer

I have been seeing this image
 on Pinterest alot lately.

The wall is a lovely brick wall
 at the Retreat Center - 

Richmond Hill, in Richmond, Virginia.

I added the words probably 

4 years ago with Pinwords.

 Don't event think that site is still around.

It shows up on Boards titled- 

Reformation, Martin Luther,

or Prayer.

Sometimes it is good to revisit a simple thought,

with a simple image.

Powerful.

Reflective.

Memorable.

That is what drives social media- 

and the following interactions.

Pin Away.

Bible Marginalia- One Blessing After Another

Bible Marginalia Series- #268

John 1:16

I simply love this verse.

One blessing after another after another.... 

Sometimes it is so easy to get 

wrapped up in our own agenda.

We simply forget.

What is awaiting us in 

full measure every morning.

From the fullness of his grace-

we have RECEIVED.

Already have it..

with more on its way...

more blessings...

more blessings...

more grace.

Just got to 

GIVE THANKS

for all of that.

Supplies:

NIV Noteworthy New Testament

Fine-Point Sharpie pen- non-bleeding

Washi tape